Typing Fractions

Dear Computer Lady,

Please tell me how to make fracions. I am copying my recipes to the computer.

Thanks, Joan

Dear Joan,

The best way to make fractions on your computer is by typing the top number, followed by the division symbol (above the number 8 on your number keypad) and then the bottom number. Using this method, one half would look like this: 1/2 If you are typing a whole number followed by a fraction, leave a space between the whole number and the fraction. One and a half would look like this: 1 1/2 .

Once you have typed your fractions in this manner, if you are using a program that includes subscript formatting (WordPad will work, as will Word or PagePlus) you can highlight the fraction and apply the subscript formatting.

Some fonts include common fractions, but it would depend on the font, and if the recipe was copied in the future, the fraction could be lost.

You can also use a keyboard shortcut for three fractions, 1/2, 1/4, and 3/4 but you are out of luck if you need other fractions.

Share This Post

About

Hi! My Name is Elizabeth Boston
AKA The Computer Lady. I want to welcome you to my little place on the web. Come on in and look around for a while. If you have time, brew yourself a cup of tea (my favorite drink) and browse my computer questions and answers.
I know you will want to come back to check out my tips and tutorials, so be sure to bookmark this site for future reference!

Related Posts

Comments (4)

Don’t know why, but my installation of Word 2010 v14 SP2 won’t allow me to insert a symbol from the fonts of the dropdown box. I refer to Insert Symbol > More Symbols > Font.

Having selected a font, one’s already highlighted. It isn’t possible to navigate among the symbols, though. Therefore, it would be helpful to have a list of shortcut keys.

The one I need at the moment is for 2/3 (two thirds).

Thank you for any help.

MardiK

June 1, 2012 at 11:11 am

Per Janet’s excellent advice, if you use the Character Map often, you would want to make it easier to access by putting a shortcut to it on your desktop or Quick Launch toolbar. In XP, go to Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and right-click on the Character Map. Choose “Send To” and choose “Desktop”. Then you can have your Character Map open and easy to bounce back and forth with your document. I like the Character Map too and people always ask how I put those symbols in my emails or documents. ♫ ♪ ♦ ♥ ♣ ♠ ☼ ⅞ ₤

johnmc32

January 23, 2010 at 11:24 am

I find it easier reading a whole number and a fraction if you put a dash between the whole number and fraction. For example, 1-1/2.

JanetShanno

January 22, 2010 at 4:21 pm

You can find more fractions in some fonts by using the Character Map. In XP, go to Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and click on the Character Map. Then select your font from the list, and scroll through it to see all the characters available in that font. In Times New Roman, you can find ¼ ½ ¾ near the top of the list, and ⅓ ⅔ ⅛ ⅜ ⅝ ⅞ way down the list. If you click on a character, it will display it in a larger size, then you can select it and copy it by using the buttons at the bottom, and copy it into your document. You can find a lot of interesting and useful characters in the Character Map!